Are there disadvantages to IVF babies?
Medically, research has been very reassuring.
Medically, research has been very reassuring. IVF long term outcomes have been followed up rigorously over the past 40 plus years since the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby.
IVF conceived children have a tiny increased rate of congenital birth defects, however like most naturally conceived babies, most IVF babies are born completely normal.
IVF babies have higher average academic achievement than naturally conceived babies overall, however this finding is attributed to social factors rather that the IVF process.
Where IVF has been performed to overcome male infertility, male IVF conceived offspring are more likely to also have male factor infertility (as they have inherited genes from their infertile father). However, many men conceived via IVF, even for reasons of male infertility, have normal male fertility.
Fertility is a complex trait, often influenced both my many genes working together and also by our development and environment.
One undeniable disadvantage to being an IVF baby is cost. Natural conception is cheap in comparisson. However IVF babies are so wanted and loved by their parents who fight to have them, often against tall odds. They are definitely worth it.
Written by Dr Raelia Lew
RANZCOG Board Certified CREI Fertility specialist, Gynaecologist and the Director of Women’s Health Melbourne.
Co-host of the Knocked Up Podcast, Co-founder of Lovers intimate wellness solutions. Raelia has a PhD in Preconception Health Promotion and Genetic Screening. Raelia is a leading Australian expert in IVF and egg freezing, pioneering a bespoke model of care.